How to position your weight better over putts

Think about your weight placement on putts – it’ll give you a more consistent and reliable putting stroke.

The thing to remember about putting is that it’s quite a short move, so you need to get it right.

Here’s how I break down my weight distribution on the following
putts. Don’t worry about the specific numbers, as such. Once you
practice this, it will eventually ingrain itself in your memory and
you’ll do it without thinking. This is just a guide to get you going.

Straight & right-to-left putts

55% on left side
45% on right side

Left-to-right putts

65% on left side
35% on right side

The idea is to start with those percentages and maintain them
throughout the stroke. Remember, you don’t want to add more weight to
the left side of your body as you putt.

You want to start with that specified weight on your left-hand side –
or as close to it – and maintain that weight throughout your stroke.

On a typical left-to-right putt, once you start the motion there’s
more chance of falling back and leaving the face open – so by starting
with more weight on the left you naturally lean more into the slope.

That’s why I always think of having 65% weight on the left-hand side
to start the ball more on that borrow. Most amateurs won’t even think
about it and won’t understand that your weight needs to be a bit further
forward.

Most will have just an even distribution – or what they think is even
– but they actually impart a lot of leg movement, which puts a lot of
weight onto the right foot. When that happens, you lean back and leave
the face open. Small movements in putting can have massive consequences.

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Steve Johnston is Head PGA Professional at Peebles Golf Club. For lessons, call 01721 720197. Follow Steve on Twitter @sjohnstonpga and don’t forget to subscribe to his YouTube channel.